Viktor Gyokeres scored for Arsenal against Burnley on Sunday, but was forced off just after the break – and he has now been left out of the squad to face Slavia Prague
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Viktor Gyokeres is not available for Arsenal’s trip to Slavia Prague on Tuesday, after picking up an injury during Saturday’s triumph over Burnley.
Gyokeres, 27, who netted Arsenal’s opener in a 2-0 success at Turf Moor, was withdrawn at the interval with a muscle issue. He missed Monday’s training session ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League encounter against Slavia – and it has now been confirmed that he will sit out the fixture.
Speaking before the match, Arteta said regarding Gyokeres: “No he’s not available, he hasn’t trained today and we need to do some more tests and scans to understand the extent of the injury.”
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“Well obviously he was very disappointed after the match but this is part of football,” Arteta continued. “If you expect a linear line always going up it’s not going to happen. For tomorrow we don’t have him.”
Gyokeres’ strike against Burnley marked his third in his previous three outings – and his sixth for the club – following his double in the Champions League versus Atletico Madrid.
However, despite being substituted at the break and finding the net just once in the victory over the Clarets, Arsenal boss Arteta reckons it represented his finest display in a Gunners jersey to date.
“I think that was one of the best games he has played,” Arteta said regarding Gyokeres, who arrived at the Emirates from Sporting CP in July, following Saturday’s encounter. “I think overall his performance was exceptional.
“Everything – his high press, his position and his touches. His running in behind, the way he linked play, the way he got us from this situation to transition moments, a lot. I think he was in a really good moment.
“It’s a shame that he felt something. We had to take him off because he was feeling a little niggle. So we’ll have to wait and see. He felt something muscular, so we have to wait to learn the extent of that.”
Arsenal’s triumph at Burnley marked their ninth consecutive victory across all competitions.
Five of those wins have arrived in the Premier League – a streak that has propelled the Gunners six points clear at the summit. Manchester City trail by six points in second place, with Liverpool third and Bournemouth fourth.
Arteta’s squad are now the overwhelming favourites for the Premier League crown. “Not so much a different feeling,” Arteta added. “I think the last couple of years, we have been challenging for the title as well. I think we are on the right track. Still a long way to go, we want to win every game, that is our mindset.”
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